Taking a Shot with ‘Ballerina’ Director Len Wiseman and David Castañeda

June 5, 2025 Mike Manalo

How do you live up to the legacy of a legendary franchise like John Wick? It’s definitely not an easy feat to follow in the footsteps of director Chad Stahelski or actors like Keanu Reeves. Thankfully, Ballerina, the latest installment in the world of John Wick, is equipped with a stellar cast and a director who understands action incredibly well! So without further ado, we are proud to present to you all our conversations with Ballerina director Len Wiseman (Underworld, Live Free Die Hard) and star David Castañeda!

Movies, Reviews

NOC Review: ‘Ballerina’ Heats Up the World of ‘John Wick’

June 4, 2025June 9, 2025 Mike Manalo

In the past decade, there has probably never been a franchise that has done as much for practical stuntwork as the John Wick series. Since the first hit the screen almost 11 years ago, many have seen and began to recognize the hard work and beauty in well choreographed, fast paced practical stunts. These amazing professionals put their lives on the line and the result is always stellar entertainment. And this Friday, we’re getting more, as we return to the World of Wick with another worthy installment: Ballerina.

Interview, Movies

Sharon Duncan-Brewster on Training the ‘Ballerina’

June 3, 2025June 3, 2025 Mike Manalo

Get ready to return to The World of John Wick! Ballerina opens up in theaters this Friday! And to celebrate we were able to sit down with the cast and director of this awesome, ass-kicking epic! We’d love to start by bringing to you the amazing badass woman behind the badass woman, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, who plays Nogi, the mentor of Ana de Armas’ Eve, aka “The Ballerina.”

Movies, Star Wars, Television2 Comments

‘Andor’ and the Asian Soul Within ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Rogue One’

May 19, 2025September 18, 2025 Dominic Mah

The final episodes of Andor Season 2 no doubt will lead many to rewatch Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, because Andor adds so much meaning and context to its 2016 predecessor. Rogue One’s story begins a matter of days after Andor S2 concludes. Those in full completist binge mode may then feel compelled to watch Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (a.k.a. The First One), because its story starts about five minutes after the end of Rogue One.

Movies, Trailers

The ‘Ballerina’ Strikes Back in Latest Trailer for the ‘John Wick’ Spinoff

March 25, 2025March 25, 2025 Mike Manalo

We’ve seen what happens when the Baba Yaga comes for you. However, just as terrifying for those who cross her will be the Ballerina! We have been so excited to return to the world of John Wick, and with Academy Award nominee Ana de Armas joining this universe, you know you’re in for a badass with charm, class, and guns… lots of guns! That’s what the latest trailer is absolutely promising us: a good time!

Movies, Trailers

First Official Trailer for ‘John Wick’ Spin-Off ‘Ballerina’ Dances Online

September 26, 2024September 26, 2024 Mike Manalo

Much like The Continental Peacock series last year, we have another story “From the World of John Wick” and this one is a huge one! First introduced in John Wick Chapter 3, we got a glimpse of Anjelica Huston’s ballerinas in this world. Now we get the see the story of one of them unfold next summer in Ballerina!

Star Wars, Video Games2 Comments

‘Star Wars Outlaws’ Early Impressions: Revenge of Canto Bight

August 30, 2024September 3, 2024 Dominic Mah

Long time ago, far far away….

Movies

Donnie Yen is Officially Returning as ‘Caine’ in ‘John Wick’ Spin-Off Film

May 15, 2024May 17, 2024 Mike Manalo

What more is there to say about the legend of Donnie Yen that hasn’t already been communicated through his fists? The unparalleled actor and master of martial arts was recently seen giving John Wick a hard time in John Wick: Chapter 4 last year. But we’re not done with this seeing-impaired assassin just yet! Lionsgate is officially moving forward with a Caine spin-off!

Interview, Movies

Hiroyuki Sanada and Shamier Anderson Unload on ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’

March 23, 2023March 27, 2023 Mike Manalo

Yeah, I’m thinking he’s back. This Friday, Keanu Reeves returns in action as the Baba Yaga himself, in John Wick: Chapter 4! And this time, he’s not alone. Along for the ride are the terrific Shamier Anderson (Stowaway) and the legendary Hiroyuki Sanada (Bullet Train). And we, at The Nerds of Color, had a chance to speak with the new stars of the franchise about all the excitement the latest installment has to offer!

Movies, Reviews2 Comments

NOC Review: ‘John Wick Chapter 4’ is the Most Epic Installment in the Franchise

March 13, 2023March 24, 2023 Mike Manalo

Who would have predicted back in 2014 that John Wick, a movie starring Keanu Reeves as a former legendary assassin avenging the death of his puppy, would become a four-installment franchise phenomenon?

Movies, Trailers

The New Trailer for ‘John Wick Chapter 4’ Takes its Shot

February 16, 2023February 16, 2023 Mike Manalo

It’s Wick Week! All week Lionsgate has been putting out really cool announcements leading up to the debut of the new John Wick Chapter 4 trailer. And behold! The trailer is finally here!

Conventions, Movies

‘John Wick Chapter 4’ Sizzle Reel from CCXP is Breathtaking

December 5, 2022December 5, 2022 Mike Manalo

CCXP this weekend was a banger! And if it wasn’t enough for us to get an awesome poster for John Wick Chapter 4 earlier this weekend, Lionsgate also dropped a new Sizzle Reel for the new movie featuring all the festivities with the man himself, Keanu Reeves! And it. Is. Breathtaking!

Conventions, Movies1 Comment

New ‘John Wick Chapter 4’ Poster Features the Ultimate Head-Shot

December 3, 2022December 3, 2022 Mike Manalo

Baba Yaga is back! John Wick Chapter 4 is hitting theaters next March. And today at CCXP, ~~John Wick~~ Keanu Reeves took to the stage to unveil a new poster for the next chapter!

Movies, Trailers

New Trailer for ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ Teases a Good Life or a Good Death

November 10, 2022November 10, 2022 Mike Manalo

Oh I’ve been waiting for this one a long time! At one point, we were supposed to get John Wick: Chapter 4 and The Matrix Resurrections at the same time — May 2021. Sadly, of course, the pandemic had other plans. But while Matrix was finally released last December, our buddy John Wick had to be pushed out over a year to March 2023. So is Mr. Wick finally back? Yeah. I’m thinking he’s back!

Star Wars, Toys

Hasbro Reveals New and Updated ‘Rogue One’ Black Series Figures and More

June 9, 2021June 9, 2021 Keith Chow

During today’s Hasbro livestream celebrating the forthcoming “I Am Your Father’s Day” event, the Star Wars team revealed several new items from their Black Series and Vintage Collection, including multiple Rogue One figures and repaints collectors have been clamoring for since the line debuted in 2016.

Movies, Reviews, Streaming

‘Mulan’ is a Thoughtful but Clunky Iteration of the Chinese Folktale

September 3, 2020May 15, 2021 Lauren Lola

Mulan is the latest in a growing line of Disney live-action remakes. Based on the 1998 animated feature film of the same name, as well as The Ballad of Mulan, a young woman (Yifei Liu) disguises herself as a man to take her ailing father’s place in the Imperial Army, to protect the country from Northern invaders. Along the way, she comes to terms with realizing her full potential and to not hold back on who she is.

Continue reading “‘Mulan’ is a Thoughtful but Clunky Iteration of the Chinese Folktale”

Star Wars, Streaming, Television1 Comment

Diego Luna to Reprise Role in Cassian Andor Series for Disney+

November 8, 2018May 31, 2022 Keith Chow

Well, that was unexpected.

In a conference call with reporters, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed a second live action Star Wars series will be coming to Disney’s long-anticipated streaming service. Rogue One star Diego Luna will be reprising the role of Cassian Andor in a series set before the events (obviously) of the Star Wars Story that grossed over a billion dollars in 2016. The series follows The Mandalorian from Jon Favreau as Lucasfilm looks to expand the Galaxy Far, Far Away to (live action) television.

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Star Wars2 Comments

Go Asians: A History of AAPI Representation in ‘Star Wars’

May 10, 2018October 2, 2023 Keith Chow

The month of May holds a special place in the hearts of Asian American and Pacific Islander Star Wars fans. For starters, May has been AAPI Heritage Month since 1990, though it originally began as “Asian Pacific Heritage Week” when it was proposed in Congress by Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Y. Mineta in 1977. That’s right, 1977. You know what else debuted in May 1977?

Movies, Star Wars18 Comments

Rogue One Subverts Asian Male Stereotypes — and That’s Important

January 23, 2017February 15, 2017 Mallory Yu

Much has already been written about Rogue One: A Star Wars Story — how it has added new context to the existing Star Wars franchise, how it is a movie ultimately about war.

Rogue One is also a movie that features three men of Asian descent — two East Asian and one South Asian — and, far from relying on stereotypes of “Asian Masculinity,” in fact subverts those stereotypes in a way that feels revolutionary for Western media. (Needless to say: spoilers.)

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Hard N.O.C. Life, Movies, Star Wars4 Comments

Star Wars Goes Rogue with Val and Bria

December 23, 2016December 23, 2016 The Nerds of Color

Rouge One is the biggest movie on the planet, and we finally devote a whole show to talk about the most diverse (or is it?) Star Wars ever filmed. Joining in on the fun is Tosche-Station.net writer, and Star Wars superfan, Bria LaVorgna and Black Girl Nerds’ movie reviewer, and occasional NOC contributor, Valerie Complex. [Spoilers throughout!]

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Movies, Star Wars4 Comments

Rogue One Might be the Best Star Wars Ever

October 13, 2016 Keith Chow

As we inch closer to the release of the first chapter of the Star Wars saga outside of the “Episodes,” everything we’re seeing about Rogue One has us feeling that it just might be the best film in the franchise. We’ve already lauded how diverse it is and profiled the film’s POC characters, but now that the final trailer and one-sheet have been released, December 16 can’t get here fast enough!

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Movies, Star Wars5 Comments

Star Wars Rebels of Color: Details on the POC Characters of Rogue One

June 22, 2016December 21, 2016 Keith Chow

This week’s newest issue of Entertainment Weekly has the rundown on this December’s Rogue One, the latest addition to the Star Wars saga. Though the movie has been hotly anticipated for a while — including a well received teaser trailer that dropped a few months back — recent rumors about reshoots and studio interference has given some fans pause. For what it’s worth, I’m still hyped about the flick, if for no other reason than its stellar — and diverse — cast. Last year, we were psyched to see just how inclusive the cast was, and now we know exactly who they will be playing.

Continue reading “Star Wars Rebels of Color: Details on the POC Characters of Rogue One“

Movies, Star Wars9 Comments

Star Wars: Rogue One Brings Diversity to the Galaxy Far, Far Away

August 17, 2015February 24, 2016 Keith Chow

Over the weekend, Anaheim, CA was ground zero for the geek-o-sphere as pop culture junkies joined the throngs of Disneyphiles to experience the wonder that is D23 Expo. Now that the House of Mouse owns everyone’s fandoms, D23 rivals only San Diego Comic-Con in terms of hype-building. And this year’s Expo did not disappoint. In addition to teasing footage from Marvel Studios’ and Pixar’s 2016 (and beyond) slate of movies, the announcements that got our attention here at NOC HQ came from Lucasfilm on Saturday.

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